Laser Eye Surgery Turkey

Sep 09, 2018

Laser eye surgery is one of the most common vision corrective procedures carried out around the world, and is sought after as a replacement of glasses and contact lenses. Femtosecond lasers are used to sharpen vision with pinpoint accuracy, so patients can see clearly, with 20/20 vision, without having to rely on the glasses or contact lenses that they had beforehand.

Laser eye surgery is sought after by people of any age, and here at Longevita we use two different techniques: LASEK and LASIK. Our laser eye surgery in Istanbul can help to correct near-sightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, by reshaping the cornea to provide perfect vision. LASEK is one of the newest and most advanced forms of laser eye surgery in Turkey, and an epithelial flap will be created and untied using an alcohol solution. A laser is then used to reshape the cornea. LASIK on the other hand, allows a flap to be made on the exterior layer of the cornea, so the surgeon can access the tissue in order to reshape the cornea with the laser.

Before the procedure, our handpicked expert eye surgeons will examine your eyes to ensure that your prescription has remained the same for at least two years, and discuss our laser eye surgery costs with you. This will help to ensure that the effect of the laser eye surgery is permanent and long-lasting as your prescription is less likely to change dramatically as you age. The cornea is one of the fastest healing parts of the body, meaning results of the procedure are almost instant, and patients are likely to have clearer vision with 24 hours of the surgery.

Affordable Laser Eye Surgery In Turkey

Laser eye surgery in Turkey is not only a simple, effective procedure, it is also one of the most affordable, as we keep our laser eye surgery prices to a minimum. All of our surgeons are put through a strict selection process in order to ensure that they are specialists in their field, to help ensure that you get your desired outcome every time. Our Turkey laser eye surgery facilities in Istanbul are also some of the most highly rated in the country, and are all JCI accredited. With over 40 million laser eye surgeries having been carried out worldwide, Turkey remains the top international patient destination for those looking for laser eye surgery, due to the advanced femtosecond lasers that we have available.

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery, also known as vision correction surgery, LASEK or LASIK eye surgery, is a surgical procedure used to correct sight problems by means of laser technology. LASEK or LASIK eye surgery are the most commonly used techniques for laser eye surgery which can cure astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. Refractive laser eye surgery help people see much more clearly.

LASIK eye surgery refers to the medical process of cutting a thin flap on the eye’s surface and lifting it before laser beams are applied for reshaping the cornea. The flap is then placed to serve as a natural bandage for faster healing.

LASEK eye surgery consists of preserving the very thin epithelial layer by lifting it from the eye’s surface before giving laser energy for reshaping the cornea. After the LASEK technique, the epithelium is placed on the eye’s surface.

In LASIK eye surgery, a thicker flap is generated by a microkeratome cutting tool or a special laser. In LASEK eye surgery, the ultra thin flap is generated by a special cutting tool known as a trephine. LASEK is performed mostly for people with corneas that are very thin for LASIK. In these cases, it may be problematic to create a thicker LASIK flap. LASEK eye surgery was developed for reducing the possibility of complications that can happen when the flap generated during LASIK eye surgery does not have the appropriate thickness or diameter.

Difference between LASEK and LASIK eye surgery

LASIK is the shortened form of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis which is a widely used laser eye surgery technique in correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. Similar to other types of refractive surgery, LASIK method reshapes the cornea in order to let light into the eye onto the retina for better vision. In most cases, laser eye surgery patients do not feel any pain and the surgery can be performed within 15 minutes on both eyes. The results — better vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses — can generally be seen in 24 hours. LASIK eye surgery is different from others that a flap is made on the exterior layer of the cornea so that the surgeon can access the underlying tissue. LASIK may also be performed with the addition of computer imaging called wavefront technology for creating a comprehensive image of the cornea and guide for treatment.

LASEK is the shortened form of laser epithelial keratomileusis. This is a variant and newer version of PRK. An epithelial flap is created and then epithelial cells are untied using an alcohol solution. A laser is used to reshape the cornea. Afterwards the flap is altered and protected with a contact lens while recovering.

How LASIK is Performed

Before LASIK eye surgery starts, eye drops are placed in order to numb the patient’s eye and alleviate any discomfort during the surgery. The surgeon may also provide medication to relax the patient. An ultra-thin flap is generated on the eye’s surface during LASIK. After laser is performed, the flap is placed as a natural bandage. The patient’s eye is placed under the laser, and a device called a lid speculum is used to keep eyelids open. The surgeon utilizes an ink marker to spot the cornea before flap is generated. A suction ring is used so that eye movements or loss of contact that could affect flap quality can be prevented. A computer is benefited from to customize treatment for individual patients. The patient is asked to look at a target light for a brief period of time while the doctor examines the patient’s eye with a microscope as the cornea is sent pulses of light by the laser. No pain is experienced while the laser light beams reshape the cornea. The patient may feel little pressure on the eyes. LASIK is applied on each eye separately and each procedure takes only about five to ten minutes.

How LASEK is Performed

Local anaesthesia is used during LASEK surgery. After anaesthesia, the surgeon cuts the epithelium or outer layer of the cornea with a fine blade (trephine). Then the patient’s eye is covered with a diluted alcohol solution for approximately 30 seconds to loosen the edges of the epithelium. Then he lifts the edge of the epithelial flap. This discloses the inner layer of the cornea. Then excimer laser is used by the surgeon to treat the eyes. Once finished, the surgeon softly folds it back out of the way. The surgeon uses a special spatula in order to insert the epithelial flap back on the eye. He applies a contact lens over the surface. Antibiotic eye drops are applied and a special protection is placed over the eye.

LASIK Results

After the surgery, patients need to have a rest for a bit and then they can return home right away. Patients may feel a temporary burning or itching in their eyes immediately after LASIK. The vision will be blurry for a while and it is normal to have haziness right after the surgery. However, clarity of vision will improve next morning. Patient’s eyesight will improve day by day. Patients may start working the next day but they are advised to rest for a couple of days anyways.

LASEK Results

Compared to LASIK surgery, people having LASEK usually need more time to recover. Patients usually wear a bandage in order to protect the eye approximately four days. Patient’s eye may feel irritated after the first day or two. Depending on the patient, it takes about 4 to 7 days to experience the better vision. Patients feel more pain in LASEK eye surgery than in LASIK eye surgery.

Limitations of Laser Eye Surgery

Laser refractive surgery will not help patients from requiring reading glasses as they are getting close to the middle age.

Risks of Laser Eye Surgery

Even though it is very rare, very small percentage of people may need to undergo the surgery again since he/she is over – or under-corrected. Sometimes patients may still need to wear contact lenses or glasses but at much lower levels than before.

The other risks are;

Corneal infection

Problems with the cornea’s shape, making it impossible to wear contact lenses

Decrease in contrast sensitivity

Dry eyes

Glare or haloes

Light sensitivity

Driving problems at night

Reduced vision or permanent vision loss

Scratchiness

Contraindications of Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is not suitable for following patient groups:

People under 21 years old

Prescription change of 0.5D or greater over the last 2-3 years

Pregnancy or breast feeding

Significant keratoconus, cataract or glaucoma, herpes eye infection

Patients on certain prescription drugs, such as oral steroids

Those who are diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupuserythematosus

Day 1

The eye surgeon explains you the surgery and examines you. You will have a few eye tests that are required for your surgery. Your surgery is performed under local anaesthesia. After LASEK or LASIK, you are advised on your medication and provided instructions on eye-drop routine.

Day 2

Your doctor performs the second check-up concerning the condition of your eyes.

Day 3 & 4

You are advised to continue resting. You should avoid heavy activities but may take a walk or go out for dinner. Your sight will significantly be improved at this point. Laser eye surgery recovery time is mostly over after this period.

Is laser eye surgery safe ?

Does laser eye surgery hurt ?

No, it does not hurt.

Am I going to throw away my glasses after laser eye surgery?

All of our patients did not wear their glasses or contact lenses after laser eye surgery. However, there is a very little possibility that patients will still need to wear contact lenses or glasses, but at much reduced degrees.

Face-to-Face Consultations in the UK and Ireland

Meet our expert patient consultants face-to-face, get a free assessment and a price quote, discuss payment options across multiple locations in the UK and Ireland.

The treatment alters the point where the light reaches the eye, and is a safe and convenient solution to wearing glasses and contact lenses. Whilst the results are permanent, due to the aging process of the eye, vision can still deteriorate and the development of presbyopia, a reading prescription, may be unavoidable once you get to a certain age. Our laser eye surgery procedures are all treated with an individualised approach to ensure that you get the best possible results and we aim to ensure that our laser eye surgery costs are affordable to suit all budgets. At Longevita, you will receive an identical treatment to that in the UK, at a fraction of the cost with our cheap laser eye surgery in Turkey.